Rick Callahan’s rangy stride carried him out of the mess hall. His youngest daughter followed, dressed in camo pants and a black sweatshirt, her trademark dew rag covering the top of her head. Rick paused as they neared the truck, spying Zach bent at the waist as if he’d just been sucker punched. Zach straightened slowly before shouldering his bags. They exchanged a few words, but Graham couldn’t hear them. By the look on Erica’s face, it was safe to say Zach had just informed them of Rowan’s unilateral change in plans. Rick shook his hand and slipped him a piece of paper. Zach walked away, staring down at the scrap of paper in his hand. Rick tapped on the window, and after a beat, Rick and Erica climbed into the cab of the truck, and the engine roared to life. The truck shifted into gear and started to pull away, circling the armory and command post to head for the gate.
Graham jerked away from the door, as if shocked from his stupor by the growl of the diesel engine. He jogged toward Zach, cutting him off and stopping directly in his path.
“What the fuck, man?”
“I was wrong. I thought I could watch her leave, but this shit isn’t working for me. You were right—she’s it. She’s everything. And we can’t let her leave. Not without us.” He held out his radio. “Tell Ty to stall them at the gate. I need to grab my stuff.”
Zach looked incredulous. “Are you fucking kidding me? Now? You decidenowthat you can’t live without her? You wait until she breaks my fucking heart? What the hell is wrong with you?” Graham didn’t even try to dodge Zach’s fist as it connected with his jaw. He staggered back a step and stared at his friend.
“You done? Or you need another?”
“You’re such a prick, G. If I had more time, I’d beat you into the fucking ground.”
“So, we good?” Graham held out a hand.
Zach clasped it. “Yeah, fucker. We’re good. Now get your shit so we can go get our girl. I’m not letting her get away. No matter what she thinks is the right choice.”
Graham took off running toward their cabin as Zach radioed Ty with instructions to stall the Callahans. He spotted Beau leaving the clinic, a black civilian backpack slung over one shoulder.
“Where you headed?”
“Going after our girl.”
“Shit. They already leave?”
“Yeah, but we’re holding them up at the gate. They’re missing a couple passengers.”
Beau looked confused. “Little Rambo Girl miss the train?”
“No, man. Me and Zach.”
“But I thought—”
“Can’t explain. Gotta hurry.”
“Well, then just give this to Ro.” Beau tossed him the backpack. Graham slipped it over his shoulder without asking about the contents. He was already running down the list of things he needed.
Ro stared out the window. The farther away they got from the walls, the harder the tears fell. Her fingers tangled in her hair as she silently promised herself that once they'd crossed through the gate, she'd stop crying. It made her feel better to believe her own lie.
The main gate was in sight, and Ty appeared to be fiddling with the lock. Her dad braked and cranked down the window.
“What’s the problem, son?”
Ty rounded the hood and poked his head in the window. “Grabbed the wrong set of keys for the padlock. But don’t you worry, one of the guys is bringing ‘em out. It’ll just be a few minutes.”
They waited. And waited. Ten minutes later, Ro’s dad said, “We’ll just go back and get the keys.”
“No need,” replied Ty. “Here they come.”
They?Ro’s head snapped around, and she saw Graham and Zach stalking toward the truck, loaded down with gear, determined looks on their faces.
What the hell?
“Now what’s this about?”
“Not my place to say.”
As if synchronized, Graham and Zach threw open the back doors of the cab. Ro looked from one man to the other, dumbfounded.